Having someone in your life to keep you accountable is great, whether that is through a life coach, partner, friend, etc. However, once you figure out a way to consistently hold yourself accountable, that is next level.
Most people won't be shocked to hear that writing tasks and goals down increases the likelihood that they will be accomplished. But, most people still do not do it.
Although I have always known this to be true, I decided to look for some science to back it up. That is when I came across this article from Forbes titled "Neuroscience Explains Why You Need To Write Down Your Goals If You Actually Want To Achieve Them".
The article is a short read, and I recommend it.
One thing which stood out to me was not just the science behind encoding information into your brain, but something that was mentioned fairly briefly - the more vividly you describe your goals, the more likely you will accomplish them.
This Reminds Me Of Manifestation
I previously wrote on the subject of manifestation. You can read how I was a skeptic of one's thoughts being able to shape their reality. However, the theory I was able to get behind was this:
Therefore, what is one thing that you can do to increase the likelihood that you have the same repeated thoughts? Write down the thoughts/goals you wish to repeat in your head.
Write Goals Down To Become More Accountable
Anything that we can do to help us become more accountable when no one is watching is worth pursuing.
You can have the right diet in front of your family, but are you getting fast food during the workday when they are not around?
You can dress professionally and drive a nice car, but are you making the right financial decisions behind the scenes?
If writing goals down gives them a higher likelihood that you will accomplish them, then this is a form of personal accountability we can all start today.
Don't Forget To Be Vivid
According to the Forbes article, people who vividly describe their goals are 1.2-1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals.
So, instead of saying, "I want to lose weight," try writing down very specific goals you need to accomplish to get to your desired weight.
Then, take the extra step and start to write down what your future self looks like once you achieve your desired weight. Are you a person who is able to spend more quality time with your family? Are you running two or three marathons a year? Are you going on weekend long hiking trips?
The more you can describe this future version of yourself, the more likely you are to become this person.
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